Release tape-free fasteners and disposable absorbent articles utilizing the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are fasteners for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that include the fasteners. The disclosed fasteners generally are free of release tape and adhesives requiring those tapes. At the same time, the disclosed fasteners can be maintained in a closed position prior to the fastener's (and the disposable absorbent article's) use and during the process by which the article is manufactured. While maintainable in this closed position, the fastener may be easily opened by the consumer such that the fastener can be then used for its intended purpose, such as, for example to form a side closure on a diaper around the waist and legs of an infant.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fastener for a disposable absorbent article, the fastener being free of a release tape and comprising:
 (a) a fixed portion attachable to the article; 
 (b) a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, the connective portion comprising
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having dissimilar proximate and distal fastening surfaces and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surfaces, wherein at least one of the fastening surfaces is fastened to a layer of shedable nonwoven fabric on the article, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member; and, 
 
 (c) a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions. 
 
     
     
       2. The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the at least one of the fastening surfaces to fasten to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       3. The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       4. The fastener of  claim 3 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is an adhesive. 
     
     
       5. The fastener of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the distal fastening surface. 
     
     
       6. The fastener of  claim 5 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the distal fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the distal fastening surface. 
     
     
       7. The fastener of  claim 5 , wherein the distal fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
     
     
       8. The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the distal fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       9. A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 (a) a body portion having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite of the inside surface, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region, the body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and, 
 (b) a fastener free of a release tape, the fastener comprising a fixed portion attached to the first end region of the body portion, and a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions, wherein the connective portion comprises:
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having dissimilar proximate and distal fastening surfaces and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surfaces, wherein at least one of the fastening surfaces is fastened to a layer of shedable nonwoven fabric on the inside surface of the body portion adjacent the fastener, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 9 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the at least one of the fastening surfaces to fasten to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       11. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 9 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       12. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is an adhesive. 
     
     
       13. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the distal fastening surface. 
     
     
       14. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the distal fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the distal fastening surface. 
     
     
       15. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein the distal fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
     
     
       16. The disposable absorbent article of  claim 9 , wherein the distal fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric.